Dear members. Need some advice. I'm in the process of buying an used 12-14 Cayenne for my folks. They typically keep their cars for 10+ years so I'm wondering which one of these engines: V6 gasoline, V8 gasoline or V6 diesel will most likely be most trouble-free to maintain after the CPO runs out?

Initially I also had the 11-14 S Hybrid on the list, but I know the cost of maintaining/replacing battery and other associated electronics will probably drive me and my folks crazy.

I know from my 997 ownership experience that the Cayenne will need to have the typical oil change, minor/major services and the brake/tire replacement and brake fluid flushes, but I'm wondering which one of these models will have the least amount of things I need to replace/repair in the long run?

Thanks for the help!! DK

 

Diesel all the way! Power and economy!

 

the only downside on the Diesel for them is a 5k service interval vs. 10k of the others, but the diesel seems bulletproof.

 

Thanks powdercoatmike.. So every 5k the diesel needs an oil change? Is the minor still at 20k and major at 40k? Or the whole time table is moved up?

 

no, just the oil changes are more frequent, 20 and 40k still the same.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but VW and Audi used the same Diesel engine and their intervals are 10k miles.

 

How much will they drive a year. Do they care about the power output. My thought is it probably doesn't matter a whole lot when it comes to engine reliability, especially if they don't drive a lot. An aging Cayenne probably has bigger concerns and it isn't the engine. Reliability on all models is pretty good.

If they don't like filling up a lot, then Diesel all the way. I get over 700 miles per a tank full on my 2014. That mostly highway. For around town driving though the Diesel torque is nice.

 

I would also added the unknown quantity of the DEF system. Some reports one the VW and Audi side are not pretty, but I don't think there is enough data to determine if those will be "common" or the typical random bad stuff that happens some times.

Yes they are the same base motor, but Porsche has tweaked the ECU programming. Physically I know the oil pan is different, but I've heard conflicting rumors about other bits. Somewhere around here is a thread where one of the diesel owners posted a few of their Blackstone results which seem to indicate that 7500 might be the post-warranty sweet spot.

 

Thanks everyone!! They don't drive a whole lot actually. They only average 5000 miles a year at most. Rest of time it'll be me taking the car in case I need to fit more than 2 sets of golf clubs =)

5000-mile service is a slight turn off though, because I don't want them to go through the hassle of booking appointments and getting the car in/out of the shop every so often.

Right now with the current gas price here in SoCal ($3 for diesel and $4 for petro), it equates to $0.15 difference in $/mile (if I use 30 MPG vs 16 MPG). Used diesel models are about $10,000 more than similar equipped V6, so that means they have to drive 66,666 miles before the ROI makes sense.

Maybe it really comes down to V6 vs V8?!?! And I'm guessing the VR6 engines are easier/cheaper to maintain?

 

You can also consider the S eHybrid.

I have gotten an average of almost 34mpg over the last 6k+ miles (actual calc not generous MFD). Oil changes at 10k and runs on petro. If you do short trips (based in your 5k/yr comment) you could see much higher mileage. I got 50mpg (over 1,000 miles) on my last tank of gas. Others are even getting higher.

Plus you have the sport button when you want to drive it like an S.

 

Oil change every 10k for the V6 petrol? I drive 5k a month so every 2 month an oil change or am I missing smt here?

 

First off we are talking miles not KM.

That's what all Porsches require. The diesel (in the U.S.) is twice that at every 5k miles. That's just the way it is.

I know BMW is 15k miles between changes. But if you drive that much you are just going to have to get a lot of oil services.

 

Good to know. I drive a Golf at the moment and never change any oil besides the regular services every 30k. Expensive hobby I guess...

 

Aaaaah miles! That makes quite a difference. THanks for pointing that out

 

According to the VW dealer where I have the Cayenne serviced at, they use a different oil filter too. I have to give them a days notice when I want it changed because they order the filter in from Porsche.